2001 Volkswagen Passat Logo
Anonymous Posted on Jul 05, 2010

Wont Start - No Spark

Started my passat to run to the store and realized I forgot something. Shut it off and ran in the house. When I came back out, it wouldnt start (cranked fine). I pulled a plug and laid it on the coil mount, and cranked....no spark. Third time I cranked, the spark came back and it started on 5 cyl. I shut it off and replaced the plug. I started it up and ran to the store less than a mile away. When I came back out it wouldnt start again. I had it towed home and it still wouldnt start. Two hours later, I tried again and it started right up. I took it for a test ride this morning and it started right up again. Shut it off when I got home and it started again fine,

What could be causing the intermittant spark? I dont want to be left stranded.

  • Anonymous Jul 10, 2010

    Thanks for the tip Wolfpack.
    I have a feeling its not the coil pack tho. It starts first time more than it doesnt, and it has never cut out once it does start. Another thing ive noticed as this goes on is that if I wait about 10 minutes without messing with it, it will start. I'm thinking more and more like it probably has something to do with the security system.....your thoughts?

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  • Posted on Jul 05, 2010
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Older VW's and Audi's are notarious for this type of behavior. You actaully need a Vag or good diagnostic tester to tell you which plugs are mis-firing. You will need to replace a coil-pac or two. VW's issued a recall notice about 3 months ago about this issue and intends to re-imburse owners on certain models and years for coil-pac repalcement. After market coil-pacs should cost less than $50.00 each. Hope this helps.

  • Anonymous Jul 13, 2010

    Follow-up on coil issue.... Have you tried moving the coil to different plug location to see if misfire follows the plug coil pack. Again, the best way to diagnose problem is a OBD or VAG tester. Which cylinder is actually misfiring OR all cylinders have irratic mis-firing which may suggest other electrical problem, battery, alternator, or ECM.

  • Anonymous Jul 26, 2011

    The final definitive on this was that the Crank Shaft position sensor was bad. Pretty salty to fix, but couldnt do it myself. Just glad I got my passat bak

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